His Soul

Pyromancer

You strolled out into the large room and glanced around at the partygoers and idle drinkers. You decided to approach a woman sitting by herself, looking around with a bored expression on her face. The moment you were in her line of sight, she regarded you with disinterested eyes, but allowed you to take a seat across from her and introduce yourself. You stuck with the fake alias you'd given Ayden, and she gave you her name in return. She didn't seem to pay you much mind as you sat there and attempted to think of what to say.

'Off to a rocky start,' you thought to yourself, pulling on the end of your sleeve nervously. She held out her long cigarette holder, aiming the end towards you expectantly.

"Would you mind..?" she asked. You perked up at the request. This was it..! Your first chance at magic!

"Not at all," you replied politely, hovering your hand in the air. You froze mid-gesture, unsure of what it would... look like...to light something with your hand. On a whim, you snapped your fingers, and thankfully, Curioso had gotten the hint, as the end was lit aflame and she gave you a grateful smile. You dipped your head in return, feeling elated at this extremely small, yet effective, display.

You tried asking more of herself and this place, but you weren't hitting it off with Amara. You excused yourself and moved on, making your way to the bar and asking for a drink. The bartender informed you that only one glass of wine was complimentary. You sat on the stool, sulking a little, as you reluctantly sipped from it.

"So you didn't make a friend right away," Curioso's voice teased in your ear. "Don't give up. There's someone on the balcony outside - try talking to him."

"Not sure if I should take socializing advice from someone who's stuck in a box most of the time," you grinned to yourself.

You could hear him scoffing and you chuckled to yourself. You headed outside to the balcony he mentioned. There, you found a man leaning against the railing, enjoying the sights outside with a cocktail glass in his other hand. You joined his side and peered down into the courtyard, where a few members were setting up for the initiation. Your eyes wandered a bit before you cleared your throat, earning the attention of the one beside you. His expression changed when he got a good look at you.

"Ahhh, a newcomer," he stood up straight. The accent took you by surprise. "You lot are usually practicing somewhere. First time I've seen one up here at a party."

You were about to rub the back of your neck out of a nervous habit, but corrected yourself with a confident posture instead. "I've got it all handled," you replied smoothly. "Wanted to meet some people before things got started."

"I like your confidence, mate. What is it that ya' do? Read cards?"

"Fire magic," you shook your head, scolding yourself for not remembering the actual name for it.

"Niiiiice. Pal of mine once burned his professor's house down for sleeping with his girl back in college," the man flashed a pearly grin at you. Something seemed off about him, but you got that vibe from everybody here. "I swear, you pyros have the most fun out of all of us."

"And what do you..practice?"

"Me? I'm telepathic."

Your face paled. You swore you recognized that term...was he a mind-reader? The one you'd just been panicking over earlier? Had he already read your thoughts and knew your true identity? As you opened your mouth to say something, he laughed loudly in your face.

"I'm just fuckin' with ya'! I have telekinesis ." He carefully pronounced the word. "Means I can move things without touching 'em."

You looked him over carefully. You didn't know all the magic in the world, but something wasn't adding up here. "But isn't that... psychic ? I thought this institution was for magicians?"